Manifesting in the New Year!

Creating new year’s resolutions is a natural opportunity to visualize who we want to be, or more accurately, aligning who we were born to be with who we currently “are”. After touching in with our inner selves, we can bring that refreshed self out into the world, to walk our paths with renewed clarity and energy. 2012 begins with all of the planetary energies moving forward (instead of “retrograde”), making this a perfect time to manifest the changes we desire, both on a personal level and a global one.

Positive resolutions yield so much more power than affirmations stated in the negative. Love has a much higher vibrational rate than fear! Instead of saying “This year I will stop eating junk food” try, “This year I will feed my body in a way that is nourishing, healthy, and delicious” or “I am going to stop yelling at my spouse/kids” try, “when I feel frustrated/tired/triggered, I will give myself permission to step back and take a deep breath.” Say them both out loud and notice the difference in feeling after each one!

Blessings for a joyful, healthy and abundant New Year! I leave you with the words of the great sage and teacher, Swami Rama:

“While time is flying away, I pray that you remember that life is precious- a priceless gift. May you acquire a clear, calm, and tranquil mind, for I know from my experience that a clear and peaceful mind is the ground for joyful living. May God bless all.”

Be Well,
Laura Brogan

GLOW Winter Cleanse 2012

“I really loved this workshop. It was a wonderful way to renew my intentions toward wellness and whole foods eating. I am sleeping better than ever and I feel much more in control of the foods I am eating.” Sarah 2011

Join me this coming Thursday on January 5th to renew your health for 2012 with a whole foods seasonal cleanse. You will be guided and supported through out the 7 day program designed specifically for your nutritional and lifestyle needs. The key to a successful cleanse is support!

• Learn why we need to cleanse and how to do it safely and naturally through food without fasting!
• Sample healthy recipes!
• Receive daily inspirational guidance to help you succeed through your cleanse!
• Learn about food allergies and sensitivities and how to easily transition into eating a healthy whole food diet!

Just a few of the benefits of a cleanse:
• Remove toxic waste build up that causes ill health and disease
• Renewed energy
• Clear thinking
• Balanced digestive system
• Weight Loss
• Clear skin
• Relief from cravings
• A new understanding of foods that work best for you
• A way to get “back on track”

SIGN UP HERE!

Kale Brussels Sprout Salad

Yum yum! What a hit this recipe was at our family Christmas gathering. Such a beautiful and healthy addition to the traditional meal. You could do with out the cheese if dairy is not your thing and it’s still delish! Enjoy. ~Kate

Courtesy of Bon Apétit November 2011

Ingredients:
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon minced shallot
1 small garlic clove, finely grated
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt plus more for seasoning
Freshly ground black pepper
2 large bunches of Tuscan kale (about 1 1/2 pounds total), center stem discarded, leaves thinly sliced
12 ounces brussels sprouts, trimmed, finely grated or shredded with a knife
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1/3 cup almonds with skins, coarsely chopped
1 cup finely grated Pecorino

Combine lemon juice, Dijon mustard, shallot, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of pepper in a small bowl. Stir to blend; set aside to let flavors meld. Mix thinly sliced kale and shredded brussels sprouts in a large bowl.

Measure 1/2 cup oil into a cup. Spoon 1 tablespoon oil from cup into a small skillet; heat oil over medium-high heat. Add almonds to skillet and stir frequently until golden brown in spots, about 2 minutes. Transfer nuts to a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle almonds lightly with salt.

Slowly whisk remaining olive oil in cup into lemon-juice mixture. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.

DO AHEAD: Dressing, kale mixture, and toasted almonds can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover dressing and kale mixture separately and chill. Cover almonds and let stand at room temperature.
Add dressing and cheese to kale mixture; toss to coat. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Garnish with almonds.

COMMIT!

That is the first step in the entire process of habitual wellness. We tend to get lazy throughout the year with our routines, so January seems a stellar time to commit to ourselves. It’s so easy when life is just happening, to let self care: the vitamins, the walks and talks with friends, the hydration, the love connections….go. But when we commit or renew our commitments, there lights a new spark. However you want to discover your wellness, we can help at GLOW. Supporting you in your path to wellness is our job. As a holistic aesthetician, I can help you commit to your largest organ – your skin! Whether you want to even out skin tone, fight acne, hydrate your dry skin or choose more natural products, you have to be consistent with your regimen. The ritual of your skin care should be ceremonious and uplifting. The very act of cleansing, toning and moisturizing represents an authentic commitment to your wellness. Using chemical laden products causes, not MAY cause, inflammation, breakouts and sensitivity. Just Bee skin food is (almost) organic, effective, uncomplicated, but serious skin care. Although I make the products myself, the ingredients go way beyond my own organic beeswax. I use Meadowfoam oil, which the Vikings used on scars hundreds of years ago, silk protein, which can hold up to 10,000 times it’s weight in water and Neem oil, which is revered for it’s all healing powers. You will see results with Just Bee and just as importantly you will psychologically feel the results of using more natural and sustainable products.
Commit your skin to wellness this month by taking advantage of our Just Bee January promotion, purchase our complete set of skinfood for only $75, a savings of 15%. You can also check us out here. ~Nicole
Just Bee. Nature. Beauty. You.

COMMIT!

That is the first step in the entire process of habitual wellness. We tend to get lazy throughout the year with our routines, so January seems a stellar time to commit to ourselves. It’s so easy when life is just happening, to let self care: the vitamins, the walks and talks with friends, the hydration, the love connections….go. But when we commit or renew our commitments, there lights a new spark. However you want to discover your wellness, we can help at GLOW. Supporting you in your path to wellness is our job. As a holistic aesthetician, I can help you commit to your largest organ – your skin! Whether you want to even out skin tone, fight acne, hydrate your dry skin or choose more natural products, you have to be consistent with your regimen. The ritual of your skin care should be ceremonious and uplifting. The very act of cleansing, toning and moisturizing represents an authentic commitment to your wellness. Using chemical laden products causes, not MAY cause, inflammation, breakouts and sensitivity. Just Bee skin food is (almost) organic, effective, uncomplicated, but serious skin care. Although I make the products myself, the ingredients go way beyond my own organic beeswax. I use Meadowfoam oil, which the Vikings used on scars hundreds of years ago, silk protein, which can hold up to 10,000 times it’s weight in water and Neem oil, which is revered for it’s all healing powers. You will see results with Just Bee and just as importantly you will psychologically feel the results of using more natural and sustainable products.
Commit your skin to wellness this month by taking advantage of our Just Bee January promotion, purchase our complete set of skinfood for only $75, a savings of 15%. You can also check us out here.
Just Bee. Nature. Beauty. You.

Just bee Philosophy

For decades, researchers have spent countless hours and millions of dollars searching for the miracle formula to slow the aging process and preserve youthful skin.  In that time, many creams have been invented, and all of them claim to have found the secret for youthful skin that their competitors don’t have.

All along the answers have been buzzing in our gardens, woodlands and beaches.  The honeybee collects pollens from the same plants, flowers and berries that nourish our being and turn them into liquid gold, honey.  One pound of honey contains the essence of approximately two million flowers!

It seems that we always go back to nature because it’s simple, pure, and free of harmful chemicals. Your skin is the largest organ of the body and it is the most direct point of absorption. So, before you start buying skin care products you should do some research and learn the facts.

At GLOW, we have simplified that process for you. We have done the research and decided that a wellness center could not be complete without providing a holistic skin care line. We believe that nature knows best and we believe in the promise of the honeybee.

GLOW is proud to offer the Just bee line of all natural ‘skin food’ products.  Just bee is handmade in York, Maine by our holistic aesthetician, Nicole Masterson.  The products contain no junk or multisyllabic additives.  As a beekeeper, Nicole discovered the secrets to the bees’ success as a species.  Inspired by these darling creatures of nature and enlightened by the science of the cosmetic industry’s truths and lies, she created her own alchemy, and the Just bee skin food line.

We hope you will join us and experience for yourself the simple luxury of our honeybee inspired skin care services and products.

The Healing Powers of Honey

When you think of honey, what comes to mind? Is it a sweet drizzle on toast? Or licking the top of those cute Teddy bear containers when no one is looking? I think of my grandmother making me a big cup of warm water with honey and lemon, her cure-all for any ailment.

Turns out there is some truth behind my grandmother’s home remedy. There are so many benefits to not only eating honey, but also using honey all over your skin and body!

Honey has three main super powers:

1. Honey is a natural humectant: What this means is that honey naturally attracts and retains moisture. Having hydrated skin is important for maintaining that youthful, supple and soft appearance. Also, honey is great for preventing the appearance of scaring on the skin because it preserves moisture while also allowing for new skin tissues to grow.

Did you know that honey is great for all skin types? Dry or dehydrated skin benefits because honey is the queen of sealing and locking moisture into the skin, oily skin benefits since honey yields moisture without added oil, and sensitive skin benefits since honey is known for having non-irritating properties.

2. Honey is naturally antibacterial: The honey found in King Tut’s tomb was still edible despite being over 3,000 years old! That is because honey contains a naturally occurring enzyme that prohibits the growth of bacteria. This anti-microbial agent is excellent for preventing and treating minor acne because it goes right to work attacking bacteria while also moisturizing and rejuvenating the skin.

3. Honey is full of antioxidants: Antioxidants are important in combating free-radicals in the body and outside damages from environmental agents like the sun. Antioxidants also help supply nutrients for the growth of new skin tissue. Even Cleopatra took regular baths with honey and milk to maintain a youthful appearance!

Just Bee uses honey in most of our skin food products and services.  Check out this recipe from Nicole’s kitchen for a honey nourishing mask.

Ingredients:

1. 1 tsp of plain yogurt
2. 2 tsp of honey
3. 1 tsp of finely ground oatmeal
4. 1 vitamin E capsule
5. 5 drops of lavender essential oil

Directions:

Create a smooth paste with the above ingredients. Apply on clean skin and leave on for 20-30 minutes and lie down and relax. This mask can be used once a week.  This mask will calm, soothe, nourish and renew the skin.

Enjoy!

~ Nicole Masterson, MEd, LE

Everyday Foods and Herbs for Holiday Health

Ah, yes…the holidays are here! It’s a time of year I absolutely love! Alas, along with the joy of sharing precious moments with family and friends, I don’t love the seasonal colds and flu that always seem to hit hard at this time. Getting plenty of rest and nurturing yourself with massage, fresh air and sunlight, exercise, and eating well will help with cold and flu prevention, but did you know another line of prevention lies within the amazing healing wisdom of the foods and herbs you may already have in your kitchen to cook all those delicious holiday dishes?

Garlic is one of my favorites, and not just because I’m half Italian. Among it’s many, many healing properties, garlic strengthens the body’s immune response and has antibiotic and antifungal properties, as well as helps to purify the blood. It is very effective in relieving head colds and bronchial coughs. Try enhancing your meals with MORE garlic! For you die-hards out there, eating a raw clove of garlic regularly will certainly kill off most anything that is trying to make you sick. But for the conservative folks like myself, a more palatable option is chopping a clove and mixing it with a tablespoon of local honey, (which has amazing healing properties of it’s own!) Have some water with lemon to wash it down. I know, you’re thinking, “that’s great…but what about the garlic breath?!” Being a massage therapist, I have to be very conscious about that – so eating some apple, parsley or lemon (all healing foods too!) will help remedy any offensive garlicky smell.

Sage, rosemary and thyme are not only traditional flavorings for your holiday feast…or a moody verse in a Simon and Garfunkel tune…they each fortify immunity and have cleansing, antiseptic properties that will help combat those nasty cold and flu germs. Below is one version of a quick and easy recipe for a basic
“Immuni -Tea” – ideal for when you feel that first sniffle and/or tickle in the back of your throat that tells you that you might be getting sick.

Immuni-Tea
1-2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
3-4 sprigs of fresh thyme
2-4 fresh sage leaves
garlic clove crushed
1″ knob of fresh ginger root, crushed
wedge of fresh lemon, squeezed (lemon helps support your liver and balances your blood pH)

Bruise the herbs a little to release the essential oils and pour hot water over everything in your favorite mug. Let the infusion steep covered for at least 10-15 minutes. Strain if you wish and cheers! I usually sip 3-4 mugs throughout those days when I’m not feeling well.

May you be blessed with a happy, healthy holiday season! And remember that this season is not so much about giving presents…but giving yourself and your loved-ones the gift of being present.

~ Moira Abram, LMT, CPT, CD

Supporting New Mothers Through the First Year and Beyond.

The importance of support from other moms during the 1st year of motherhood is critical. We need to lean on each other, shed tears, laugh (or not!) about the voices in our heads, discuss the various colors of baby poo, amounts of spit up – too much too little?  We find ourselves chanting together that sleep is over-rated ~ we will survive ~ this too shall pass.  And then we GLOW about how so very fortunate we are to hold these amazing little people in our arms each and everyday. All without forgetting to celebrate the incredible journey of motherhood that we are so very lucky to be on.

Nursing Mom’s Group Tuesdays 9-11am with fellow mom and lactation counselor, Sara Walenta.

Stay tuned as our group is evolving in the new year!

~Sara

A little less DOING and a little more BEING

Think about that feeling of lying on the massage table at the end of a session ~ after the therapist has left the room, you are alone in stillness for those few moments before the world of deadlines and responsibilities calls you out of “being” and back into “doing.”  Can you feel the silent stillness? – the complete relaxation?  Can you hear your own breath moving effortlessly through your happy muscles? – feel the increase in circulation and energy?
Recently, I have had a few of our clients at GLOW remark that they wish they could stay in that feeling all of the time!  While I haven’t figured out how to provide that quite yet, I’d like to offer a few suggestions you can use to help keep that lovely state of physiological and psychological balance while moving from the massage table into your day.

1)  Take 10 deep breaths upon waking. Sit up in bed, wrap in a blanket, inhale and exhale slowly through your nose. Notice your thoughts arising, and let them move through without “engaging” them quite yet.  It doesn’t need to be quiet – kids and dogs and partners are allowed to be up and moving!  Throughout the day, if you notice yourself feeling stressed or distracted, go back to your breath. Maybe you take two conscious inhales and exhales as your toddler or teenager is having a 4 o’clock meltdown, or you do a deep inhale and exhale as a stressed out shopper cuts you in a long holiday line.  Notice your body “remember” the morning breaths and return to that state.  Enjoy the “battery recharge” and continue with your day.

2.) Give yourself permission to do less, and enjoy the things you choose to do more of. It is fairly ironic that one of our busiest, and most social, seasons of the year coincides with our season of waning light, and natural “inwardness.”  Everyday from now through the end of the year could easily be filled with constant activity.  Baking Holiday cookies with your kids is lovely, unless it is wedged between the holiday parade and a marathon shopping attempt, followed by the 3rd party of the week. While it often seems like we will be missing out on potential fun or letting someone down if we don’t “do it all” around the holidays, setting a realistic schedule for ourselves that is in tune with our winter energy level gives us the chance to truly show up and enjoy our moments during a busy Holiday season.

3.) Put self-care on your to-do list. We spend so much time between now and the new year thinking of others and their needs – don’t forget your own!  If time doesn’t permit getting to a yoga class, do 5 sun salutations at home. Take a 20 minute walk after lunch even if a 7 mile run won’t fit in that day. Your family and friends will applaud your commitment to your own well-being, or at the least may notice your positive energy.  While holiday gift certificates for massage and bodywork are certainly amazing gifts, don’t forget to schedule your own massage session this month.  At the end, while lying in that place of stillness again, drink it in. Carry it forth. GLOW.

Namaste and Happy Holidays,
Laura Brogan, LMT